The Calgary Flames were long ago counted out as a possible playoff team, but you never would have guessed if you were judging by the decibel level in the Saddledome after Friday's 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in their final home game for this winter.

After saluting their fans with raised sticks, they left the ice to scattered chants of 'Go Flames Go!'

Michael Frolik, Evander Kane and Carl Klingberg gave the Jets a 3-1 lead — Calgary's leading point-producer, Jiri Hudler, had the lone goal for the hosts at that time — but rookie centre Sean Monahan and rearguard Kris Russell each scored powerplay goals in a 24-second span to tie it up in the middle frame.

Paul Postma, who produced plenty of offence from the point in two seasons with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, scored the eventual game-winner on a third-period slapshot.

Flames left-winger Curtis Glencross rifled a shot off the post a few minutes later, rookie winger Kenny Agostino had a partial breakaway and the hosts even had a late powerplay opportunity, but they couldn't slip another puck past Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson. Jets winger Blake Wheeler eventually spoiled any chance of a comeback with an empty-netter.

Long after the details of Friday's contest are forgotten, folks will remember the reaction after the final buzzer.

This date with the Jets came on the 10th anniversary of the Flames' first home game of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, which ended a seven-year post-season drought for the crew from Calgary.

It's impossible to say when this rebuilding bunch will be back in the playoff mix, but the Saddledome faithful showed Friday that they certainly appreciate the efforts they witnessed over the past six months.

The Flames finished with a 19-19-3 record in their own barn this season.

They'll finish off their season with Sunday's road clash with the Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

Hobey Baker Award winner Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold, the dynamic duo from Boston College who signed entry-level deals Friday with the Flames, will be in the lineup at Rogers Arena.